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pletcherxpy – :
Very nice. Smoothing out over the first 30 minutes. Hard to believe this is a woman’s perfume but I love it and it is very well made. I have the Parfum version and I like the control with pure Parfum instead of a spray
ogr77 – :
Scent – aldehydes, vanilla & sandalwood.
Season/Time of Day – I prefer to use this one in the warmer months, during the day.
Projection – I did get noticed, It garners compliments.
Longevity – I get 8hrs consistently.
Semera 775 – :
I haven’t tried vintage versions of this, only the EDP so I don’t have a comparison point, but I think this is lovely an plan on getting a bottle this fall, as it seems more appropriate to that time. Woods, powder, resins, a little sweet, but not too much. It’s beautiful, and I can see why it’s a classic even in its reformulated form.
Aekes – :
Same as with Cuir de Russie, the reformulation has taken its toll on Bois des Iles. It has become a lighter version of itself (nicely speaking), when I compare it with three other incarnations I own (bought between ’96 and 2013). However, having said that,I find this reformulation a lot more fortunate than the one of Cuir de Russie, I must admit. Bottom line: everything changes and there is no stop to it, I’m afraid. The valid question arises, namely: what is the point of keeping it alive under the old name, when it has already drifted so much apart from the original?
wmt821speagoessenda – :
This is a tale of woe, dear reader. I have been coveting Bois des Iles for quite a long time, and the only thing between me and a full bottle of my own was the price. I have Samsara and I love it, but my mind always runs to the Chanel- wondering if I really could justify owning both. Today I decided to take my coveted small sample of BDI and compare it side by side with Samsara, one on each arm before impulsively spending $200 on a perfume that doesn’t differ too much from what I already have. Ah, such creamy sandalwood bliss! On one arm, the crisp Chanel, on the other the rich Guerlain. Samsara with its floral halo is perfect for colder temperatures while Bois des Iles with its aldehyde sparkle would be perfect for summer! Yes! I will own both! Ah, I can justify anything. Then I noticed that BDI was fading so fast. The Guerlain was unfolding beautifully but the Chanel was losing steam so quickly, I thought perhaps I was becoming anosmic, so I pressed my nose into my skin and then… was it… urine? Or… no, no, the world could not be this cruel…vomit. God help me. How is it possible that such a heavenly opening could have such a mouth of hell closing? I have never noticed this before, but then, I have never monitored the fragrance so closely either. I have been so lucky with fragrance so far, nothing seems to clash with my chemistry- I thought I could wear anything. It appears, to my great sadness, that I am mistaken. So very glad I did not impulsively buy this before I had tested it thoroughly. Sigh.
geks_4444 – :
I have compared Bois des Iles edp side by side with Egoiste twice, and it’s much smoother, creamier, and, in a way, more uplifting. It is no more feminine than Egoiste, which to my nose is one big sweet, juicy plum on a dry sandal wood plate (there’s no plum notes in Egoiste, but somehow the rose and the cinnammon in it register on my nose as plum). So, although people have pointed out how similar these two fragrances are, I find Bois des Iles to be a complex aldehyde-floral-woody scent and Egoiste predominantly a fruity scent. That’s just my experience.
Tested side by side with No.5 edt and edp, Bois des Iles has aldehydes that are more fizzy than soapy. Also, its aldehydes are inextricably integrated with floral-tinged woody notes, whereas in No.5 edt, the aldehydes stand out rather sharply from the other notes.
Comparisons have also been made with Samsara, but I found that applies only to the extreme drydown. Samsara (edp) has a strong “cosmetic” smell that I tried many times to tolerate but couldn’t, but after many hours it did get become something reminiscent of Bois des Iles, velvety and bright.
To my mind, Bois des Iles may be compared with the above-mentioned fragrances but is definitely irreplaceable by any of them. It’s one of a kind. What’s more, everytime I wore it, I smelled something different, as if it had a life of its own. My conclusion is this is an all-round winner versatile enough for most moods and settings. The only complaint I’ve got is performance. Projection and longevity are both terrible.
nostav51 – :
Mm, nice one. I‘ve always liked Egoiste for the sandalwood-and-spices trip to the tropics it takes you on, but this, a very obvious precursor of Egoiste, has an added layer to offer that the later scent doesn’t. As I mentioned in my comment on Sycomore, Chanel has a kind of “cashmere machine“: Everything that goes in comes out smelling plusher, softer, warmer, more luxurious. And so it is with this warm and spicy take on sandalwood; it’s like Egoiste got the cashmere treatment. A beauty that just oozes warmth, comfort and sophistication. One of the best drydowns ever. And completely unisex too; anyone would feel comfortable and classy with Bois des Iles.
An easy 9/10.
nip1980 – :
Bois des Iles I’d never understood until now. It’s weird that the EDP is what got me to love this scent, considering it was the EDT I preferred of both when comparing samples over the last year. A friend sold me a 10mL decant of the original formulation of the Les Exclusifs EDT and I thought I’d try this out one more time before giving the EDT a proper work out.
Well, what can I say? I’m enticed. It’s got some major similarities to at least No 22 in the same collection and a sandalwood that is to DIE for. It’s soft, elegant and lovely. It doesn’t last a terribly long time, which makes a reformulation totally unnecessary but aroma-wise, I think a good job was done.
Won’t offend, but can get on the creamy side.
svoiachka – :
thank god
Finally
this pyramid is right , go to EDt page the pyramid is not the same
EDt pyramid is before 2010 reform and before 2006 reform .
Nice perfume ??? yeah sure .
but I cant justified the price , No flowers No Sandalwood zero in here the fruity not ” peach ” is missing
I mean come on , cant believe it they removed all the flowers and sandalwood , no vanilla then what is it ???
I do smell lots of opoponax with yalng and Tonka , these are cheap notes .
where is ” The Exclusivity ” ?????
lots of notes missing .
I think this perfume ” in its original composition ”
is the best of mr Beaux .
gevrich – :
I had a sample bottle of the EDT a year or two back. I LOVED it so much, that my next venture was a full bottle. Little did I know, I wasn’t buying the EDT, but the newer EDP. When it arrived, I excitedly sprayed it, but thought to myself that it didn’t seem as appealing somehow…I found my old sample EDT, and I do think I like it better… it’s not quite as stifling to the nose when fresh, and seems to last longer…I do still love the development of the EDP, it is mesmerizing, fresh, soapy, and spicy all at once. I feel this is a stronger, knowing Chanel statement than No.5…a step beyond the masses into an exquisite “old guard” realm.
razobints – :
This is my next splurge purchase. It’s No.5 Eau Premiere with sandalwood! An all season, full day, ageless beauty. I never smelled the edt, but this is lovely on its own terms.
pchela100585 – :
Maybe a slight unpopular opinion, but I really do indeed like the EDP much more than the EDT. For me, there’s more meat to this composition that I just didn’t feel in the EDT. I’ve never tried the vintage but you don’t know what you’ve never tried so can’t make any comparisons there. I love that the aldehydes have been cut in half, which makes this a much more wearable scent for me. Still, its unmistakable as a chanel even with the cut back No5 aldehydes.
Longevity is much much better too. where as I was getting at max 4 hours with the last version of the EDT, I’m getting now 10 hours with the EDP.
FrickFucker – :
The 2nd-most aldehydic scent of the collection, which fades away very quickly (in comparison to N°22 & N°5) to reveal the creamy sweet sandalwood-ylang. Even though the EdP is said to be stronger and richer than the EdT, it’s still very wearable and not nearly as crazy as Samsara.
seregamon – :
The EdP bypasses the opening of the EdT which I love so much. So less sparkling aldehydes in the opening and straight to the middletones and base, which is simular to the EdT.
Sillage seems a bit better and the longevity is much better then the EdT version.
I’m sorry to see the opening being gimped down, but besides that this is the first Les Exclusifs EdP that I’ve tried that can stand proudly next to the EdT.
Still a 10/10!
dioniscka – :
First of all, there are a lot of missing notes in the above notes pyramid. Bois des Iles Eau de Parfum has an Aldehydic (relatively less comparing to the Eau de Toilette) opening along with Bergamot, Mandarin and a somewhat spicy notes. The scent quickly moves to the heart with prominent notes of creamy Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang (relatively stronger comparing to the Eau de Toilette). The Jasmine, Iris, Roses and Aldehydes in the background helped create the most gorgeous floral, creamy, woody scent. The base is balsamic, slightly sweet with a touch of warm Vanilla, woody and powdery. It has moderate sillage and lasts over 10 hours on my cooler than average skin.
snr556Unlogrere – :
This is just a quick note to help those of you curious / worried about the new EDP formulation: imagine a direct cross between the EDT and the parfum, and that’s the EDP. In other words, like the parfum the EDP is rounder, deeper and more lingering than the EDT, but retains the EDT’s brighter, more effusive opening; however, I have to admit the edges are softer and the overall effect is less harshly astringent. The lush Chanelinade florals are very much in evidence right from the start, calling to mind Cuir de Russie and the EDP of N°5, and this is predominantly what lends this new iteration of Bois des Îles its richness.
In my humble opinion you need not be worried that your beloved Bois des Îles has been altered for the worse, or even noticeably changed. Of all the new EDPs, to me this is the one whose formula seems like it’s been tinkered with the least — it feels like it’s merely been made more concentrated. If you were anosmic to some elements of the EDT, that’s unlikely to change with the EDP; if however the EDT was long-lasting for you, I’m sure the EDP will be too, but more so. I find it persists for many, many hours.
Печенькооо – :
I have not tried any other edition than the new 2016 EdP, but i love it. I own it, but had limited time with it. With each wearing i appreciate it and understand it more and more. Bois des Iles has many layers which peaks through from one moment to another. A real olfactive treat.
There are other perfumes more perfect for me, but if i was to describe Bois des Iles in one word, it would be perfect. It’s perfectly unisex, fresh, warm, comforting and exillirating. It’s so beautiful. Also perfect all year round, day and night. A real classic scent. For when you want to feel good!
Sillage is moderate, longivety is perfect. 8-10 hours.
A must try for those who love classic perfumery or sandlwood.
8 out of 10
johnvg – :
I liked the EdT enough a few years ago, but it was a skin scent and didn’t make too much of an impression on me other than “mmm, gingerbread.”
The other week I received a sample of the EdP, and this one wears better on me. Can’t point to why or how, but the overall experience is richer and for the first time I have moved Bois des Iles to the Want List. Even if I don’t have cash for the purchase, I will certainly go out of my way to procure a replacement sample so I can keep on enjoying this gorgeous woody spicy scent and brighten some winter days. I bet it layers well, too.
ETA: such a great scent. Just delicious and cozy and rich. Love.
EdP has much improved longevity over the EdT, in my experience.
baleo – :
One of the most classic perfumes of the Les Exclusifs line, Bois des Iles has always impressed me with its creamy, rounded and powdery texture, something that did not depend on Indian sandalwood but that managed to create a luxurious texture in that vein. With its relaunch in EDP concentration the impression I have is that Chanel did not make a mere reformulation to adjust its dynamics to this concentration, but a recontextualization of its scent to make it look more contemporary.
Of the aspects mentioned above, the powdery side was reduced drastically, along with the aldehyde aspect of the opening in the composition. Somehow, the first few minutes of this new version became lighter, a little green perhaps. Then the sandal begins to appear, still creamy and buttery as in the original. It is curious that now at some moments it seems more dry and woody and in others more floral, something in the same direction perhaps of the Samsara, as if the ylang had become more evident and with the sandalwood they produced this illusion.
There are some secondary notes that appear in certain moments of the perfume and that before did not stand out or did not exist in the Bois des Iles. At heart, there is a kind of creamy, delicate scent that make you think of the scent of roses but does not resemble roses itself. And at the base there is an impression of something amber, resinous and a hint of spice as well. It is as if Bois des Iles was now moving to something more unisex: neither so floral and powdery, nor so woody and dry. Although this new version seems to me well thought out and executed, it gives an impression that the perfume in exchange part of its soul for usability.
Wineworld – :
Iv given up on chanel.no logevity no sillage.every one iv bought or tested is the same.last less than an hr on me.will try the new edparfumes coromandel and bois de isles.i will try to find the vintage boise de ilse.this is not a.fantasy its a fact and its a shame.
assembler86 – :
I have to completely disagree with that. I do not get how people can’t smell the Chanel’s , I seriously think there must be either something wrong with the bottle they purchase ( them being fakes ) or in this situation of celticelle , Revier bellow ,it might be allergies or Anosmia. A cold perhaps ?
These perfumes are the bomb to my nose. Last into the next day to the point that it bothers me as I like to wear a different fragrance the next day and since I only shower every other day I almost feel like I can’t switch up the perfume as the traces are still so strong. All night I smell it when I turn around in bed. In the morning right up until lunch the next day. I have a sample of bois de Iles EDP and its glorious and again lasted into the next day. Two sprays is all you need.
My edt from 3 yrs ago same thing. Power bomb !
Creamy sweet sandalwood at its best.
Alexej87 – :
I have the pure parfum version of this, and it’s wonderfully beautiful, but it has the lasting quality of an inexpensive body wash. I received this as a gift, and it was what I wanted, but I haven’t bought a Chanel perfume product in years (made within the last five years, that is.) I know many people on the site have been complaining that Chanel perfumes now are so weak and watered down, but I thought the parfum strength would be a little better quality. Unfortunately, it is not. It lasts about an hour on me and has minimal sillage. For an expensive bottle of what’s supposed to be the highest percentage of actual perfume in a bottle, it’s a huge disappointment. It also has none of the original gingerbread spiciness and woodiness of the original Bois des Iles.
***I think that someone else’s review should not be put down by another reviewer (re Germany’s review.) Isn’t the better place for that in the forum? And someone should not presume that their experience of a perfume is superior to someone else’s. We each have our own senses and impressions. I don’t need someone else to try to tell me my senses must be off. My experience is my own, and we need to be free in our reviews to honestly express it.***
The scent itself is beautiful and totally enjoyable, but anyone who has ever experienced the richness and depth and lasting power of vintage perfumes will be bitterly disappointed. Add some perfume oil to your bottles, Chanel. Geez. I don’t understand why Chanel has made this very poor business decision to make such weak and light perfumes. Perhaps they think they can just skate by with their brand recognition. I think eventually it’ll be a big mistake. I couldn’t recommend that anyone purchase their perfumes.